router vs switch

  • Thread starter Thread starter L...
  • Start date Start date
L

L...

5 xp's, 1x98se wireless and one win2k running as a server.
All are plugged in to either the modem or "router".
Had problems over past couple of months wiht connection so a guy that was
helping us replaced wires and then replaced our 5 port router with a 5 post
switch.
Come to find out the cable modem was going bad.
Everything seems to be working ok now.
We're signed up for 1.5 speed but only running ~ 800-900.
Tried to read the difference in different articles but still having problem
understanding, router vs switch.

Is there that much of a difference?
Anything to change?

L.
 
A switch is generally just that. A router is much more, and can be setup to
match the user's needs.
In addition, a router usually is seen by the ISP as a single computer, and
the switch as multiple computers.
Some Cable and DSL modems have a one or two port router built in.
A lot of things besides the switch can impact speed. Most of the time you
get better results with a router. However, some routers slow down when they
are set up to do MAC filtering and similar tasks.
 
Thanks for the info.
The cable modem is a Prestige 900 which I understand is a modem/router.

We run a single connection to a D-Link switch which the server(win2k) and
other machines(winXP) connect to.

Would/should we be running through a router or does it matter?
 
Thanks for the info.
The cable modem is a Prestige 900 which I understand is a modem/router.

We run a single connection to a D-Link switch which the server(win2k) and
other machines(winXP) connect to.

Would/should we be running through a router or does it matter?
Click to expand...

The Prestige 900 appears to be a ZyXEL cable modem / router combo.
<http://www.zyxel.com/product/model.php?indexcate=1115187948&indexFlagvalue=1117177316>

You shouldn't need another router below it - just a switch will do - as long as
you're not trying to isolate your LAN from your neighbor. In the latter case,
you need 2 routers - one for you and the other for your neighbor.

If you're having speed problems, you should maybe be working with your cable
company. You may also get results from BBR Forums - maybe BBR Networking or
Cable Forum.
<http://www.dslreports.com/forum/sharing>
<http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cablechat>

There may be a specific forum for customers of your ISP in BBR Forums.
<http://www.dslreports.com/forums/all>
 
Chuck said:
The Prestige 900 appears to be a ZyXEL cable modem / router combo.
<http://www.zyxel.com/product/model.php?indexcate=1115187948&indexFlagvalue=1117177316>

You shouldn't need another router below it - just a switch will do - as
long as
you're not trying to isolate your LAN from your neighbor. In the latter
case,
you need 2 routers - one for you and the other for your neighbor.

If you're having speed problems, you should maybe be working with your
cable
company. You may also get results from BBR Forums - maybe BBR Networking
or
Cable Forum.
<http://www.dslreports.com/forum/sharing>
<http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cablechat>

There may be a specific forum for customers of your ISP in BBR Forums.
<http://www.dslreports.com/forums/all>
Click to expand...



Again, thanks.

I ran a couple of more speed checks
@(http://reviews.cnet.com/7004-7254_7-0.html) and get two different
readings.
When I select "cable modem" get average of 875-950kbps BUT if I select LAN
get 1175-1275kbps. Signed up for 1.5 (1500) but if we're within 80% with 5
systems on network, isn't bad....

L.
 
Again, thanks.

I ran a couple of more speed checks
@(http://reviews.cnet.com/7004-7254_7-0.html) and get two different
readings.
When I select "cable modem" get average of 875-950kbps BUT if I select LAN
get 1175-1275kbps. Signed up for 1.5 (1500) but if we're within 80% with 5
systems on network, isn't bad....

L.
Click to expand...

Lem,

Fascinating. The CNet Bandwidth Test is one that I hadn't seen before. Now to
figure out how and why it performs as it does...

On the off chance that your problem is caused by signal and / or load, did you
post any questions in any of the BBR Forums? This is a Windows XP Networking
forum, which is concerned mostly with Windows XP networking functionality.

There are not too many experts that get into WAN (ISP service) QOS issues here.
BBR Forums provides discussion about Internet (DSL originally) QOS, and there
are a lot of experts there who can help you analyse and diagnose any QOS
problems related to your Internet service.
 
Chuck said:
Lem,

Fascinating. The CNet Bandwidth Test is one that I hadn't seen before.
Now to
figure out how and why it performs as it does...

On the off chance that your problem is caused by signal and / or load, did
you
post any questions in any of the BBR Forums? This is a Windows XP
Networking
forum, which is concerned mostly with Windows XP networking functionality.

There are not too many experts that get into WAN (ISP service) QOS issues
here.
BBR Forums provides discussion about Internet (DSL originally) QOS, and
there
are a lot of experts there who can help you analyse and diagnose any QOS
problems related to your Internet service.
Click to expand...

Passed on some information and links I found on the BBR Forums, esp NAT
filling up.?.!
Most of the "stuff" I read was/is way over my head.
Seems that most of our problems start/started in late afternoon after
several hours of 5 systems being on line.

Will let you know.
Thanks,
 
Passed on some information and links I found on the BBR Forums, esp NAT
filling up.?.!
Most of the "stuff" I read was/is way over my head.
Seems that most of our problems start/started in late afternoon after
several hours of 5 systems being on line.

Will let you know.
Thanks,
Click to expand...

If your symptoms are chronic, I'd bet you have either 1 of 2 problems:
1) Saturated network link from neighbors traffic (a classic cable broadband
scenario).
2) Degraded electrical signal level.

The cable company is responsible for making sure that the cable modem has a good
signal level. The saturated network link, because you share your service with
all of your immediate neighborhood, can be a problem with cable broadband.

Did you post any questions in BBR Forums (if so, which one?) or just read the
"stuff"? BBR Forums is like any other techie forum (no different here) - you
have to ask questions, and wait patiently. When the "stuff" is over your head,
you have to learn to ask the right questions.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#Waiting>
 
Chuck said:
If your symptoms are chronic, I'd bet you have either 1 of 2 problems:
1) Saturated network link from neighbors traffic (a classic cable
broadband
scenario).
2) Degraded electrical signal level.

The cable company is responsible for making sure that the cable modem has
a good
signal level. The saturated network link, because you share your service
with
all of your immediate neighborhood, can be a problem with cable broadband.

Did you post any questions in BBR Forums (if so, which one?) or just read
the
"stuff"? BBR Forums is like any other techie forum (no different here) -
you
have to ask questions, and wait patiently. When the "stuff" is over your
head,
you have to learn to ask the right questions.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#Waiting>
Click to expand...

Sorry it took a couple of days to get back with you.
I passed on the links and a couple of posts to Dan.

We're all thinking it was a modem problem AND saturation for two reasons.
1. We had Charter replace the modem/router which has stopped 99% of the
disconnects and
2. we notice the slow down and a couple of disconnects starting at ~ 3 PM
when kids are gettting home from school.

Since Monday, things have been running "normal"...

One suggestion we received is to limit d/l speed. We're signed up for 1.5
speed. Another small business owner has limited his speed to 1.2 and he
never disconnects. Not sure what this does or how to do it, at this point.
Guessing he's set his router to limit speed.



thanks,
 
Sorry it took a couple of days to get back with you.
I passed on the links and a couple of posts to Dan.

We're all thinking it was a modem problem AND saturation for two reasons.
1. We had Charter replace the modem/router which has stopped 99% of the
disconnects and
2. we notice the slow down and a couple of disconnects starting at ~ 3 PM
when kids are gettting home from school.

Since Monday, things have been running "normal"...

One suggestion we received is to limit d/l speed. We're signed up for 1.5
speed. Another small business owner has limited his speed to 1.2 and he
never disconnects. Not sure what this does or how to do it, at this point.
Guessing he's set his router to limit speed.
Click to expand...

Lem,

If your service (signal to modem) is a problem, and your download speed is set
too high, your modem will waste a lot of time and bandwidth trying to download
at too high a speed, and recovering from situations where the service can't
provide signal to handle the speed. In extreme situations the modem may simply
restart.

If the problems are time related (and if you're in a residential area that will
happen), that would be one thing. But if Charter is getting around their
inability to give you a decent signal level, by telling you to limit your
downlink, you ought to investigate. Unless they are reducing the service charge
anyway.

Have you asked in the BBR Charter HSI Forum about this situation?
<http://www.dslreports.com/forum/charter> They may be able to help you check
the modem, and verify the signal level, That will tell you if the problem can
be resolved.

Don't pay for service that you don't get. That's not good for anybody in the
long run.
 
Back
Top